By Eniola Jose

The importance of education incorporating ethnic studies was emphasized during CSUN’s Pan African studies department’s 42nd anniversary celebration in the USU Grand Salon Saturday.

“We have the responsibility to make a difference, we fight for everyone, but we have to remember to fight for ourselves,” said Assemblyman Mike Davis, D-Los Angeles.

Davis, a former field representative for Congresswoman Maxine Waters, discussed the importance of education and the urgency of unity within the discipline of ethnic studies during harsh economic times.

Davis said not just his degrees matter, but also his experiences

Davis has experienced many inspirational and professionally propelling opportunities in which he stood behind people who advocated for causes he believed in.

Determination, diligence and courage is what it takes to make a change, Davis said.

Applying these elements of change to his experiences, Davis was able to oversee many triumphs such as the divestment in businesses working with South Africa’s apartheid regime.

Davis said Waters was able to get California to divest, as trillions of dollars of major corporations were being spent overseas.

Following Waters, Davis stood behind the campaign of Colleen Adams in the Los Angeles district, who now stands as the first African-American attorney general.

In honor of the Collen Adams campaign, AB 420, in regards to “redistricting,” was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, and California can no longer count votes for prisoners based on the district in which they have been incarcerated, but from their home address.

Today, Davis stands as the Assemblyman in the same office where he began at an entry-level position, where he assisted in the campaign of Waters.

“No one has just arrived,” Davis said.

Dr. Karin Stanford, chair of the pan African studies department, was also commemorated in appreciation for her efforts during the celebration.